NEW DELHI: Congress is waking up to the reality that Rahul Gandhi would prefer gradual change to a massive overhaul, leading to mixed emotions after his Jaipur speech raised hopes of a sharp makeover in party management.
The three-day interaction with central office-bearers has left little doubt about Rahul's plans - he would rather focus on states and lower levels of AICC.
It has put paid to hopes that as Congress vice-president, Rahul would make a clean break from the party as run till now. "He is a marathon man, not a sprinter. Why this belief of abrupt change?" asked a key party manager.
The possibility of revamp being largely confined to rather insignificant secretary-level personnel in AICC is in contrast to the vociferous demand for change made by senior leaders at the recent interaction.
Congressmen believe that revamp apart, party fortunes in the critical political calendar depend on how the organization is led in poll-bound states and how the workers are rejuvenated in the course of Lok Sabha polls.
While the party is confident in top priority Karnataka, it has its task cut out in end-of-the-year polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi.
The four states will have a bearing on the political sentiment -- Congress's magnetism among anti-BJP minorities and "secular" regional parties who are its potential allies.
A section of insiders believes Rahul has to act fast to maintain the momentum from Jaipur after his emotional appeal found strong resonance with workers and even helped remove doubts about his long-term political engagement.
Leaders want Rahul to move quickly to sustain the interest of workers, who are likely to be disappointed by the absence of massive changes in the party management and impression of business as usual. "His basic appeal in Jaipur lay in his promise to change affairs radically and quickly. He may not have meant it but that was the message that went down the line," a leader said.
Another section of leaders, who advocate slow change, argue that workers would react more to how their local leaders in states are picked and not how managers are moved in Delhi.
Leaders warn that delay in initiating changes may dent the Jaipur momentum. "It has to be clinched before the budget session starting from February 21. After that, the focus will shift to budget and government," a senior leader said.
Though Rahul has lost no time in starting the engagement with party managers, leaders argue he has a small margin of error in the year that will mould the shape of the Lok Sabha battle.
Congress mouthpiece 'Sandesh' echoed the burden of expectations from Rahul. "The unification of the Congress which led to the return of the party to power under Congress president Sonia Gandhi will now be further enhanced with a new generation, Rahul having accepted this responsibility," an editorial in the latest edition said.
Congressmen resigned to slow pace of change in party affairs
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Congressmen resigned to slow pace of change in party affairs
